CASA

CASA - Community Alternative Systems Agency

Who We Are

CASA is a division of the Department of Social Services. CASA nurses complete client level of care assessments in the community and can provide information on programs and care options that may be available to those Broome County residents. Our goal is to help you stay independent as long as you are able, in the least restrictive setting that meets your needs. This may be possible with the help of family, friends, and community resources.

What We Do

CASA nurses can see individuals of all ages, in any Broome County home, hospital, or nursing home. There is no charge for the CASA nursing visit and assessment.

A CASA nurse can provide information on Medicaid (MA), Medicare (MC) and other payment options if you need services in the home. They can provide information on the Managed Medicaid plans in Broome County.

How We Help

Upon referral our nurses will help you to understand what service options and programs are available in our county. They will explain the Medicaid personal care aide service programs, as well as the Medicaid waiver programs. They will offer recommendations on the type of care that you need and will answer your questions.

Some of the information that our nurse will discuss with you may include:

MEDICAID PROGRAMS such as:

PERSONAL CARE AIDE (PCA)/SHARED AIDE (SA) SERVICE: These Medicaid funded programs are for individuals who are chronically ill or are disabled, and who have a medical need for assistance at home that is verified and approved by their primary doctor. Personal Care Aide service may include assistance with light housekeeping, laundry, grocery shopping and errands and/or hands on personal care tasks such as bathing, grooming, dressing, and personal hygiene.

CONSUMER DIRECTED PERSONAL CARE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM(CDPAP):CASA nurses complete the assessment, authorize services and work in coordination with the Southern Tier Independence Center (STIC) for the self-directing disabled and/or chronically ill consumer. This personal care aide service enables the consumer, or a designated representative of the consumer, to direct the delivery of their personal care service and choose (hire) their own worker. The consumer, or their representative, is responsible for all aspectsof hiring, training and supervising their personal attendants.

LEVELS OF CARE ASSESSMENT:Sometimes it is hard to know about all of the options available to a Broome County resident when they are not managing well at home. CASA nurses can complete a level of care (LOC) assessment. A level of care assessment is a nursing assessment completed by a registered nurse in settings such as your home, a hospital, a Nursing Home, an Adult Care Facility (ACF) or an Assisted Living Program (ALP). This nursing assessment evaluates physical, cognitive, environmental, safety, Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL) and Activities of Daily Living (ADL) needs. Nurses will make recommendations on the most appropriate place where the client can reside safely and as independently as possible. If indicated, nurses may complete the Patient Review Instrument (PRI) and Screen for Skilled Nursing Home placement.

Financial information is gathered during the visit to help determine payer sources for services which may be covered by Medicaid (MA) or Managed Long Term Care (MLTC).

NURSING HOME PLACEMENT:A CASA home evaluation will be used to determine whether an individual can function safely in the community or is appropriate for Nursing Home Placement. CASA nurses are trained and certified with NYS to complete the Patient Review Instrument (PRI) and Screen that is needed for anyone who is admitted to a NYS nursing home. CASA will send this paperwork to the nursing homes of your choice. If a county resident does not quality for nursing home placement, CASA nurses will suggest other options that may meet their needs and will outline all available care options.

WHEN YOU CALL CASA - (607-778-2420):We will discuss your current needs and/or condition(s). If a referral is taken the following information will be obtained: